Google to Censor Firearms Related Shopping Results
http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/06/foghorn/google-censor-firearms-related-shopping-results/ Google to Censor Firearms Related Shopping Results
Posted on June 28, 2012 by Nick Leghorn
A user on 68forums.com received a troubling email from Google last week. We knew that Google was passing on providing advertising for the multi-billion dollar industry that is the firearms and weapons market, but it turns out that now you will not even be able to search for firearms related items in their Shopping search engine. Where once was displayed page after page of results for firearms, there is now nothing left but a desolate blank page. Make the jump for the full letter and more information…
Dear Merchant,
We’re writing to let you know about some upcoming changes to the product listings you submit to Google. As we recently announced, we are starting to transition our shopping experience to a commercial model that builds on Product Listing Ads. This new shopping experience is called Google Shopping. As part of this transition, we’ll begin to enforce a set of new policies for Google Shopping in the coming weeks. A new list of the allowed, restricted, and prohibited products on Google Shopping is available on our new policy page – http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/ApI7UWRj6OCZpd.
Based on a review of the products you’re currently submitting, it appears that some of the content in your Merchant Center account, HamLund Tactical, will be affected by these policy changes. In particular we found that your products may violate the following policies:
Weapons
When we make this change, Google will disapprove all of the products identified as being in violation of policies. We ask that you make any necessary changes to your feeds and/or site to comply, so that your products can continue to appear on Google Shopping.
To help you through this new set of policies and how to comply with them, we would like to give you some specific suggestions regarding the changes needed to keep your offers running on Google Shopping.
Weapons
As highlighted on our new policy page http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/ApI7UWRj6OCZpd, in order to comply with the Google Shopping policies you need to comply first with the AdWords policies http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/StQ08jAzM4fVtG. We do not allow the promotion or sale of weapons and any related products such as ammunitions or accessory kits on Google Shopping. In order to comply with our new policies, please remove any weapon-related products from your data feed and then re-submit your feed in the Merchant Center. For more information on this policy please visit http://www.google.com/appserve/mkt/GbBNIGHOribLzf.
We’re constantly reviewing our policies, and updating them when necessary, to ensure we’re offering the best experience possible to our users. We’ve identified a set of policy principles to govern our policy efforts on Google Shopping in the U.S. These principles are:
1) Google Shopping should provide a positive experience to users.
Showing users the right products at the right time can truly enhance a user’s experience. When people trust us to deliver them to a destination that’s relevant, original, and easy to navigate this creates a positive online experience to the benefit of both users and merchants.
2) Google Shopping should be safe for all users.
User safety is everyone’s business, and we can’t do business with those who don’t agree. Scams, phishing, viruses, and other malicious activities on the Internet damage the value of the Internet for everyone. Trying to get around policies or “game the system” is unfair to our users, and we can’t allow that.
3) Google Shopping should comply with local laws and regulations.
Many products and services are regulated by law, which can vary from country to country. All advertising, as well as the products and services being advertised, must clearly comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
For the most part, our policies aren’t designed to describe every law in every country. All advertisers bear their own responsibility for understanding the laws applicable to their business. Our policies are often more restrictive than the law, because we need to be sure we can offer services that are legal and safe for all users.
4) Google Shopping should be compatible with Google’s brand decisions.
Google Shopping must be compatible with company brand decisions. Our company has a strong culture and values, and we’ve chosen not to allow ads that promote products and services that are incompatible with these values. In addition, like all companies, Google sometimes makes decisions based on technical limitations, resource constraints, or requirements from our business partners. Our policies reflect these realities.
We’ve given much thought to our stance on this content, as well as the potential effect our policy decision could have on our Merchants, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Sincerely,
The Google Shopping Team
© 2012 Google Inc. 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043
You have received this mandatory email service announcement to update you about important changes to your Google Merchant Center account.
I’m frankly not surprised that Google’s “strong culture and values” will gladly point you to the finest tentacle rape hentai available on the internet but will not let you research your next firearms purchase. What surprises me is that this move is seen by Google to increase shopper safety and promote a positive experience. Quite frankly the act of restricting what I can and cannot search for does just the opposite.
Google has made some great strides towards openness and freedom of speech, but it seems that their idea of freedom of speech doesn’t extend to firearms.
[h/t TFB]ef=”http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/06/foghorn/google-censor-firearms-related-shopping-results/”>
Marksmanship Training Center
Just wanted to give a big thanks to the guys at the Marksmanship Training Center. Myself and a couple of friends just took the Precision Shooting Urban Skills Clinic held at their range, anyone interested in shooting out to 1K (or further) or getting some quality instruction to enhance or their skills should check them out. (http://www.marksmanshiptrainingcenter.com/)
This class had us engaging targets from 100 to 675 yards from a variety of positions. Utilizing mil dot ranging, using scope adjustments and holdovers to positively range and engage targets at unknown distances.
I learned a lot about utilizing the mil dot system for ranging and for hitting what I aim at, I had never done this before and came away with a big increase in confidence.
Check out MTC if you get the time.
Ruger American Rifle
Specs:
- 22” Hammer forged barrel 6 groove 1:10 RH twist
- Adjustable trigger from 3-5lbs
- Synthetic stock with integral bedding block system (wedge bedding system)
- Full diameter 3 lug 70 degree bolt
- 4 round detachable rotary magazine
- Comes with swivel studs and none proprietary scope bases
- Recoil pad
Rifle spec says it weighs 6.25lbs and is over all 42.50” long. With a 13.75” length of pull.
Rifle comes with box, lock, manual NRA offer and coupon for a free cheek piece and when you register they also give you an offer for 20% off at the Ruger clothing store.
1st impressions were, I like the weight, it ought to carry nice, the profile is more “edgy” , meaning more edgy instead of rounded on the receiver.
The magazine outer shell is all plastic,and time will tell as to its durability, I loaded the mag with some ammo and reinserted into the rifle, it didn’t show any signs of swelling or difficulty going in fully loaded and feeding was fairly smooth.
This rifles trigger is pretty decent; it doesn’t have a large amount of travel, is consistent, breaks clean and broke at 3.10 lbs
The machining on the bolt face as seen in the pic is utilitarian, not polished, but definitely serviceable.
Bolt travel is easy and light.
Safety is a 2 position tang mounted deal that is easy to manipulate.
Overall I think this is a pretty nice rifle with a MSRP of $440.00 (please contact me for pricing.) Lots of nice features, would’ve liked to see a more “substantial” magazine, but it may prove to be a non-issue, also I wasn’t a fan of the bases supplied on the rifle, they had to be moved around to properly install a scope, but seeing as it was easy to do, again, more of a minor issue. I think its has more value added features than say the Savage Axis/Edge and price is pretty comparable. Range report to follow soon!